Today Microsoft and the University of Applied Sciences in Rapperswil opened the first Swiss Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC). The MIC family is as big as 110 centers in 60 countries worldwide.
In Rapperswil it all started in 2003 with the .NET Competence Center. In 2005 the Swiss Software Solution Center has opened its doors. And now Microsoft values this partnership with the first Microsoft Innovation Center in Rapperswil. This MIC will offer a wide range of options to local software makers including software audits, database and business intelligence solution as well as coaching, consulting, hands-on-workshops and technology advisory.
The official website is located at mic.hsr.ch and is currently only available in German.
At the launch the university and Microsoft shared some interesting numbers I will reprint for you.
Microsoft invest heavily in Cloud Computing and Azure (nothing new). They are doing this with billions of dollars and adding 35’000 servers each month to their infrastructure. Microsoft plans to heavily integrate Windows on the client site with the Windows on the cloud site (Azure). And Cloud Computing will be the big winner out of the current finance/economic crisis.
The university of Applied Sciences in Rapperswil generated close to 21 million Swiss Francs in research and development (R&D). Quiet impressive with only 169 employees and 59 professors. Until 2013 the university is building a new research building and student housing for up to 80 international students. The goal is to be even more attractive to international students.